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From the Desk of: ARUN DHAND
DIRECTOR –GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & MEDIA AFFAIRS
March 26, 2015
Press Note
Bharat Ratna Prof CNR Rao speaks on “Doing Science in India” at UPES
Advises encouraging research studies at undergraduate levels
Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao (commonly known as CNR Rao) one of the most foremost solid-state and
materials chemists. Rao’s life is a true example of a life in science. Born in 1934, he completed his Bachelor’s
degree at the young age of 17 years followed by Master’s at the age of 19 and earned his doctoral qualification at the
age of 24years. His life has evolved around sciences. Rao is one of the most quoted and decorated living scientists in
the world today. His research focuses on design of new materials. He has made immense contributions in global
advancement of nano-materials. He has published over 1,500 research papers and has written over 45 books and has
around 44,000 citations.
Prof. Rao is also a remarkable institution-builder. In the 1960s he contributed significantly towards the
establishment of the Department of Chemistry of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur as one of the best
chemistry departments in the country. Rao served as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
for 10 years (1984 – 94). He is the founder of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
(JNCASR) in Bangalore. Rao has played an instrumental role in recently established Institutes of Science, Education
and Research (IISERs). Dr CNR Rao has earned numerous national and international awards in his career spanning
over 60 decades in several countries including America, Russia, Japan, China, England, France, Brazil along with
the “Einstein Gold Medal” of UNESCO. He was awarded the “Padma Shree” in 1974 which was followed by
“Padma Vibhushan” in 1958 before being bestowed with the highest civilian award “Bharat Ratna” in 2013.
Mr Arun Dhand – Director, Media in UPES informed that Prof Rao is visiting UPES for two days during which he
will share his global experiences with the top management of the University and also advise on various avenues of
way forward apart from delivering two lectures. The lecture for the faculty and staff of UPES titled “Doing Science
in India” was delivered today. Tomorrow Prof Rao will again speak in UPES but to the 11th
class science stream
school students of some of the schools in Dehradun on “Celebration of Science”.
Prof Utpal Ghosh, Pro Vice Chancellor of UPES introduced Prof Rao to the packed house in “Vivekananda
Auditorium” covering his life story and achievements. In his lecture which was humorously mesmerizing Prof Rao
shared his deep concern on the low prioritization being given to development of Science & Technology in India. He
emphasized that the Govt of India must increase the allocation on Science & Technology from the current 2% of
GDP to at least 6% of GDP whereas for Research the allocation must increase from the current 0.9% of GDP to at
least 2%. Speaking on China, he shared their GDP allocations towards Science & Technology as a result of which
China was able to produce 20,000 Phd’s second only to America whereas India could produce only 8,000. Prof Rao
highlighted that the solitary sustainable growth driver of any economy is its Science and Technology, discussing the
case of Japan & South Korea he shared how by prioritizing and focussing on indigenous science & Technology
Korea has scored over Japan over the last 20 years referring to the glaring example of “SONY” and “SAMSUNG”
stories. Prof Rao also pointed out that during the last decade or so Information Technology has attracted a lot of
focus and probably its growth has been misconceived by many as a measure of development of Science &
Technology whereas it is just an important tool to facilitate its development he said.
Prof Rao in his lecture narrated several incidents which took place in his life where he got the chance to interact with
likes of Dr C.V Raman, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Dr Homi Bhabha, Dr Raja Ramana. Rating ‘Michael Farady’ as the
greatest scientist that mankind has ever seen, he shared some of his failures prior to achieving success and drawing
inspiration from there he stressed that in order to have meaningful and worthy research and innovation there is a dire
need to change the ‘judgmental attitude’ of Indian society because history has proven that good and worthy research
comes out only after multiple failures.
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From the Desk of: ARUN DHAND
DIRECTOR –GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & MEDIA AFFAIRS
He advised UPES to introduce research at undergraduate levels and identify and encourage students who have a bent
towards R& D at young ages. He further suggested that mental training needs to be imparted to the young un-
polluted minds to “Innovate with nothing”. Closing his one and a half hour talk Prof Rao thanked science and said “
Science has given me so much I wish I can give back to science that much”. Prof Rao felicitated the ‘Research
Publication Award ‘winners amongst the UPES faculty members by handing over the certificates. In his vote of
thanks, the Campus Director Dr Shrihari thanked Prof Rao to have taken everyone in the auditorium through a
wonderful 90 minute journey in the world of science. The program was convened by Ms Tanushree Sharma in
presence of the entire UPES fraternity including Dr S.J. Chopra, Dr Kamal Bansal, Dr Anirban Sen Gupta & Dr
Tabrez Ahmed.
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